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Monday, April 24, 2017
Learn More About Our Art Partners at #SAVEARTSPACE
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Fabien Castanier Gallery is excited to announce a very special event at their new space in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District with a solo exhibition for Speedy Graphito
Fabien Castanier Gallery is excited to announce a very special event at their new space in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District with a solo exhibition for Speedy Graphito. Join us for the Opening Reception on Saturday, April 22nd from 6-10pm. The exhibition, An American Story, will feature new paintings from the artist who has spent the last few months in residence in his Miami studio.
This very special evening features the screening of ‘An American Story’, a short documentary directed by Thomas Granovsky on Speedy Graphito’s current exhibition. Guests will enjoy an Art Talk, ‘From Pablo Picasso to Speedy Graphito: A Fabulous Travel through Art History’ hosted by Art Advisor, Sebastien Laboureau. Closing reception with drinks, music and a projection of Speedy Graphito’s feature-length documentary “Ainsi soit Lapinture…”, kindly RSVP only at rsvp@castaniergallery.com
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| Speedy Graphito’s ‘Happenstance’, 55 x 63 inches. |
Speedy Graphito’s artistic universe has always been built on an honest dialogue concerning the role of the image within modern society. Since the inception of his career in the 1980’s, his work has dealt with concepts of commercialism, iconography, and pop culture. His new series of work, what he refers to as “mon histoire de l’art” (or “my art history”), confronts our consumerist society and the omnipresence of images and globalization of culture.
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| Speedy Graphito’s ‘The Dream of Roy’, 55 x 63 inches. |
His work for An American Story references motifs and themes from some of the most recognizable painters in art history, from Van Gogh and Matisse, to Andy Warhol and Tom Wesselman. Juxtaposed alongside his own style, the mixture of modern and contemporary masters stands to question the role of art and its legacy through a shifted perspective.
Speedy Graphito, a student of the renowned School of Art Estienne, has since cemented his place as one of the most influential figures who emerged from the Parisian art scene in the 1980’s. His reputation has steadily grown during his 30 year career, affecting a myriad of artists by laying the foundation of his genre, urban and pop art through the lens of contemporary media culture.
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| Speedy Graphito’s ‘Play’, 55 x 63 inches. |
The constant evolution of his work is a testament to the versatility that he brings through his medium. Speedy Graphito juggles between painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, video and performance. And for the past 6 years in the United States, the artist has invigorated the cultural landscape with his tireless commitment to the visual discourse of our generation.
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| Speedy Graphito’s ‘An American Story’, 59 x 59 inches. |
Celebrating the global impact of Speedy Graphito, the Museum of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage is currently holding the artist’s first museum retrospective, UN ART DE VIVRE. The exhibition employs the entirety of the museum’s Villa Way Side and takes the show back through the artist’s career, from its beginning in the 1980s (where one will find the famous poster la Rué vers l’art or the Lapinture character) to the recent works of the series “mon histoire de l’art”. The museum exhibition will be on view through May 21, 2017.
Monday, April 10, 2017
The Fascinating Art Of Cuban Artist Ulices Alfonso
Cuban artist Ulices Alfonso is a Miami-based multidisciplinary artist whose current series of work ‘Abandoned‘ represents the idea of false images of the human being. Alfonso’s work was selected to be exhibited this coming May at the Cuban Nostalgia exhibition in Miami, celebrating all things Cuban. The emerging artist is quickly making a name for himself, he is definitely an up-and-coming artist to keep your eyes on.
A figurative painter with a philosophical and esoteric approach to art, Alfonso’s work focuses on colorful, enigmatic characters who come together as a tribe of unidealized figures defying objectification. To learn more about this fascinating artist or to commission a piece, email the artist at ulicesalfonso.cubanartist@gmail.com / or to view more work and info visit here.
His work is meaningful and unique, offering a deeper understanding of life with references to disfuntional families, human fears and duplistic personalities. There is an interesting quality in his work, which implies our ability to be phony at times yet believing that we are saints when in fact we are only human and very much flawed.
Alfonso depicts his characters with circles above their heads, the use of the halo to suggest the paradox of both the light and the dark within us. “My work speaks about the false image of the human being. My characters represent a circle of strong situations; fear, double faces, the inability to speak, and to be in connection with something from the past,” said the artist. “My characters speak without words, as the colors, textures, and movements speak through them.”
Alfsonso believes we are the product of a connection to many fears, always digging to find something that is missing or forgotten in our life, something ambiguous from our past perhaps.
He is the winner of a recent art competition with Interior Ink, which specializes in custom printed interior décor for bespoke applications in the architectural, commercial, and residential design communities. Alfonso’s work will be featured in New York City through Interior Ink’s summer trade show.
Miami, Where Are My Keys?
Experience a unique music event on the sands of Historic Virginia Key Beach when The Electric Pickle Company in partnership with Carlos Llanos and PL0T present Where Are My Keys?
What began as a remote two-day event during Art Basel 2016, is now being brought back for the second time to a scenic, lush, secluded area of Virginia Key, where music lovers will have the opportunity to congregate in an undiscovered corner of old Miami, while enjoying the sounds of today’s most innovative DJs.
The impressive lineup for this edition of ‘Where Are My Keys?’ includes Kompakt-frequenter Rebolledo, Life and Death mastermind DJ Tennis, psychedelic-electronic act Red Axes and more.
Yes, the music will be lively, trippy and unforgettable! Upon arriving on Sunday, guests will immediately be welcomed by infectious music and the vibrant colors of the Virginia Key scenery. For 12 hours, 3 artists will take guests on a musical journey, with no set restrictions – just an open dance floor in the warm sand. Get your tickets here.
Since opening their doors in 2008, the Electric Pickle has become Miami’s premier boutique music venue. Notorious for pushing boundaries with forward-thinking artists, the unique nightclub has earned its name as one of the ‘Top 10 Nightclubs in the US’ by Rolling Stone Magazine, as well as ‘Top 25 Nightclubs in the World’ by Resident Advisor.
For more than 10 years, PL0T has been a major contributor to the underground dance music scene in Miami, promoting events in the city’s best venues, debuting and nurturing a number of international acts in the area – including: Seth Troxler, Mano Le Tough, DJ Tennis, Job Jobse, and Bob Moses to name a few. Promoters at heart; driven by a passion to divulge music, moved by the need to create experiences that have long lasting impact on people’s lived memories.
Chocolate and Art Show Miami
Experience Chocolate and Art Show Miami at Wynwood Warehouse Project for a two night event of fine art, great music, tasty chocolate and good vibes, benefiting Artists for Trauma (AFT).
On opening night guest will meet & greet the artists and indulge in some of Miami’s finest up-and-coming fine, contemporary and street artists, photographers and artisans. There is something for everybody including live body painting, live music, face-painting, culinary cuisine, artisan vendors and free chocolate.
The Chocolate and Art Show is a famous Los Angeles-based art event that contributes to positive social change by building a network of artists of all mediums, collectors and artist enthusiasts celebrating the arts and supporting local business and local art community raising awareness and support for Artists for Trauma – a charity that nurtures and empowers the lives of both civilian and military trauma survivors by pairing recovering patients with established artists from various creative disciplines.
The organization now brings their incredible show to Miami with an exciting lineup of gifted artists and artisans in multiple genres, who are giving back to the community through their art and creative talent.
The show has a piece of art to resonate with everyone who enters the event. Outside there will be 5 amazing bands playing throughout the night! And for those foodies out there, enjoy delicious culinary cuisines, while inside mixology bartenders will keep you guessing ingredients all night long, with guest Dj’s dropping huge beats for your entertainment. Free street parking / show is 21+. General Admission Ticket $15 online (or) purchase tickets at the door at $20 each.
On opening night guest will meet & greet the artists and indulge in some of Miami’s finest up-and-coming fine, contemporary and street artists, photographers and artisans. There is something for everybody including live body painting, live music, face-painting, culinary cuisine, artisan vendors and free chocolate.
The Chocolate and Art Show is a famous Los Angeles-based art event that contributes to positive social change by building a network of artists of all mediums, collectors and artist enthusiasts celebrating the arts and supporting local business and local art community raising awareness and support for Artists for Trauma – a charity that nurtures and empowers the lives of both civilian and military trauma survivors by pairing recovering patients with established artists from various creative disciplines.
The organization now brings their incredible show to Miami with an exciting lineup of gifted artists and artisans in multiple genres, who are giving back to the community through their art and creative talent.
The show has a piece of art to resonate with everyone who enters the event. Outside there will be 5 amazing bands playing throughout the night! And for those foodies out there, enjoy delicious culinary cuisines, while inside mixology bartenders will keep you guessing ingredients all night long, with guest Dj’s dropping huge beats for your entertainment. Free street parking / show is 21+. General Admission Ticket $15 online (or) purchase tickets at the door at $20 each.
A Spotlight On New York's Beloved Abstract Expressionist Painter Dennis DeGraw
Dennis DeGraw is a spiritual painter who began developing his painting technique in 2012 shortly after attending the New York Academy of Art. He currently resides in Brooklyn, New York and creates his exquisite abstract paintings from his art studio located in the artsy and historic neighborhood of Gowanus, Brooklyn. DeGraw is a captivating artist who incorporates personal writings alongside his paintings, introducing viewers to his visual work through a personal expression of words and stories.
DeGraw’s work embodies the tenets and style of the Abstract Expressionist movement, his work encompasses not only the work of a painter who fills his canvases with fields of color and abstract forms, but also attacking his canvases with a vigorous gestural expressionism. He is committed to an expressive art of profound emotion and universal themes. The writings he produces are of a meta-physical nature, explaining his visual images in language and providing an extension of the work. DeGraw offers a secondary value through the “story-telling” of the paintings, giving the viewer a closer connection and understanding.
One of our favorite series of DeGraw’s is Be The Void, created in 2012, based on an abstract submersion into depression, withdrawal and heartache, and the eventual rise of the light within. The artist conveys a sublime landscape of color and form, while introducing his writings, allowing the works to be humanized and understood. DeGraw is cataloging the events and feelings of his life, documenting a timeline of places and emotions through his works, creating a visual and written diary.
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| V:II Weight, Be The Void series. Oil on Canvas, 66″ x 60″, 2012. |
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| V:VI Aura, from Be The Void series. Oil on Canvas 60″ x 30″ x 2″ 2012. |
Excerpt from Be The Void: “There is a time in life when one becomes overwhelmed with emotions and feelings of a tremendous void within, a deep chasm in one’s heart. There is no comfort to be found in what seems to be a dark cloud blanketing one’s soul. However, at some point, an urgency sets in, along with an overwhelming need to Empower oneself. In times like these, there is one simple formula; if there is a void, become the Void.”
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| Charleston, Lifeboat series 2013. |
In 2013, DeGraw created his acclaimed Lifeboat series, where his work visibly emerged into the light and new life sprang forth. In May 2013, he was inspired to begin a new collection of paintings while visiting with friends in South Carolina. The painting Charleston from this series was created in his dear friend Maxine Chapman’s living room of her home in West Ashley, South Carolina. “2013 was a year of many dimensions. So much was lost. So much was gained. And so much changed. Every emotion hit a peak. Every emotion hit a valley. While travelling all those miles of road along the way, something inside me made my spine stay rigid, my head stay straight, and my vision stay clear. I was forging against the resistance I faced with a sense of self-respect, and through it, creating art.” said DeGraw of this time.
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| Hamburg, Lifeboat series 2013. |
“It was not until I unraveled all the paintings on January 1st, 2014 at my new residence in Bushwick, Brooklyn that I realized how much I loved every piece I had created. These paintings are my meditation, and because of this, I feel they are truly magical. I struggled with the decision as to whether to disclose the intimate stories and details that accompany each individual painting. As deeply personal as each painting is, I have decided to add their stories. I am grateful for every experience I have had in the past year. I am also grateful for every person who has entered my life, and for those who have exited it. Most of all, I continue to be grateful to be able to embrace my artwork each and every day. It is my magic. It is my definition. It is my Lifeboat.” -Dennis DeGraw.
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| California, Vibrations series, 2014. |
“The thing about conciousness is that it is built on the fundamental notion that all living matter is connected metaphysically to one natural and intagible source, the universe. Over the years my meditation has given me the vivid colors that become my paintings.”
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| New work in the studio, 2017. |
A true spiritual painter, DeGraw’s oil paintings transcend the ordinary visual experience by offering a powerful view into his life. Each piece is a unique recording of a specific time and place, bearing the artist’s raw feelings and ideas. For more information about Dennis DeGraw, to inquire about a painting or to commission a piece, email dennisdegraw@icloud.com / to view more of the artist’s paintings and writings visit www.dennisdegraw.com
YoungArts Salon Series: Women + Words
Monday, April 3, 2017
#SAVEARTSPACE: The Future Is Female - All Female Gallery & Public Art Exhibition
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